Synopsis: Every decade, the world’s monarchs and their heirs secretly convene to discuss global politics and social issues—and arrange marriages between kingdoms.

Elsa may be the Hereditary Princess of Vattenguldia, but she finds the entire situation archaic and unsavory. While she wants what’s best for her country, she isn’t about to jump into an unwanted relationship—let alone a marriage—with a virtual stranger. Of course, her feelings matter little to her parents, whose wheeling and dealings over trade pacts and alliances achieved at her expense begin the moment they set foot in California for the Summit. So when a blindingly handsome royal runs into her, she doesn’t hesitate to tell him there’s no way she’s marrying him.

Christian is all too happy to agree: no marriage. As the Hereditary Grand Duke of Aiboland, his main goal is to get through the summit without a bride being foisted on him. Which is why he suggests they help each other field potential intendeds. As Christian slowly gets to know Elsa, though, he realizes they have a lot more in common than just their feelings about the Royal Marriage Market. Only he can’t fall for her, because royal or not, they’re not meant for each other.

Elsa and Christian will have to evaluate matters of the heart verses those of state and crown, and decide whether or not tradition trumps love.

I am a huge Heather Lyons fan. “The Collector’s Society,” is one of my all-time favorite series and as I anxiously await the final book in the collection, I was excited to see this new stand-alone. Royalty? Marriage? Romance? Right up my alley. Or so it seemed.

What I liked: There were quiet moments in this book, when the two main characters were beginning to build their relationship, and these were the moments I enjoyed the most. Despite the over-the-top situation they find themselves in their relationship blossoms first as a friendship and then into a deep love. These were my favorite moments of the book because they seem so realistic. The relationship between the two main characters overall became my favorite part of the book. Even when things got a little mind-boggling unrealistic, I had to continue reading to discover what happened with them. What did end up happening was kind of perfect. For once, the man has to sacrifice something instead of the woman. While, it would have been ideal for no one to sacrifice, again, I think this adds a more realistic element.

What I didn’t like: I am going to be honest here. I nearly did not finish this book. I continued, painfully, through the first dozen chapters wondering if I should call it. Normally, I can suspend some disbelief, but parts of this book were just entirely unrealistic. Painfully so. There were moments where I really struggled to take this book seriously, because it seemed so far-fetched. Everyone seemed to be a caricature of what a royal actually is and outside of that everyone appeared to be British.

Overall, this book is worth the read for the main couple. I truly did find their relationship compelling. 3/5

Synopsis: After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one.

Now, it’s the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth’s last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie’s only hope for rescuing her brother–or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up.

Wow, two reviews in one week, this had got to be some sort of record this week. I was totally inspired to review this book after reading it because it is just that DAMN good.

What I liked: It is actually really difficult to pick out the specific things that I like in this book, because boy is this book freaking good. There’s so many things that are done well in this book. My favorite aspect is the idea. This fluctuates between what I would call dystopian and sci-fi using the best tropes of all without falling into the cliches of either. The pacing is perfect with enough action to keep it interesting, but not so much that the reader can’t gain their footing into the story. I’m not usually someone who enjoys multi-POV stories as they can create a lot of confusion for the reader; however, the way Yancey utilizes his multi-POV is incredibly effective as it culminates in the characters meeting towards the end of the book. The way this worked kept the reader in the know but the characters blind, eliminating confusion but keeping the story interesting. That’s really what I’ve got to say about this one, Yancey continuously keeps the story interesting.

What I didn’t like: This is definitely a more personal didn’t like, so take it with a grain of salt and remember I have not read the sequel to this yet, but I was not happy that the guy set up as the love interest does not seem to be the actual love interest. You can’t invest me in these ideas and then leave me hanging!

Overall, super strong, super intense, and just all around super read. Be sure to pick it up this holiday season. 4.5/5